Reading rockets wheelchair basketball club

Welcome to the official website of the Reading Rockets Wheelchair Basketball Club, where sport, community, and determination come together.

Basic Rules of Wheelchair Basketball

Wheelchair basketball follows many of the same rules as running basketball, with a few key adaptations to account for the use of wheelchairs and ensure fair play among athletes with different levels of physical ability.

Basic Rules

  • Court Size: The game is played on a standard basketball court (28m x 15m) with a 10-foot-high hoop.
  • Teams: Each team has 5 players on the court at a time.
  • Game Length: Games typically consist of four 10-minute quarters (international play), with overtime if needed.
  • Ball: The same size basketball is used as in standard play (size 7 for men, size 6 for women).

Wheelchair Use & Movement

  • Players must remain seated in their wheelchairs during play.
  • The wheelchair becomes part of the player — meaning contact with the chair can count as a foul.
  • Pushing Rules: A player can push their wheelchair twice before they must dribble, pass, or shoot — similar to the traveling rule in running basketball.

Fouls & Violations

  • Personal fouls, charging, blocking, and technical fouls are called similarly to able-bodied basketball.
  • Chair contact is carefully judged — players must maintain control and avoid unsafe collisions.
  • 3-second rule, shot clock, and other timing rules also apply

Scoring

  • 2 points for a basket made inside the 3-point arc
  • 3 points for a basket made from beyond the arc
  • 1 point for each successful free throw

Classification System

  • To ensure fairness, players are classified based on their physical abilities, with a point system from 1.0 to 4.5:
  • 1.0 = Most limited movement (e.g., limited trunk control)
  • 4.5 = Least impaired (e.g., minimal lower limb impairment)
  • Each team on the court must have a combined total of 14 points or fewer, encouraging a mix of abilities on the court.

Key Differences

Running Basketball Wheelchair Basketball
  • Mobility Running/jumping
  •  Wheelchair movement
  • Dribbling Continuous
  • Push twice, then dribble
  • Contact Body
  •  Contact Chair and body contact
  • Classification Not used
  •  Point-based system for fair play

 

A Game of Skill, Strategy & Speed

Wheelchair basketball is a dynamic, fast-paced sport that demands strength, strategy, coordination, and teamwork. Whether it’s precision shooting, sharp passing, or smart defense, players adapt and compete at a high level – making the sport exciting to play and to watch.